High BAC DUI Lawyer in Lynnwood

What to Do After a DUI Arrest with a BAC of 0.15% or Higher

If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or higher, you face enhanced penalties that could significantly impact your life. A “high BAC DUI,” as it’s sometimes referred to, can lead to jail time, thousands of dollars in fines, and a permanent criminal record. 

The first thing you should do is contact a DUI defense attorney. Be cooperative with law enforcement but assert your right to remain silent. Don’t try to “talk your way out of it” or convince the arresting officer of your innocence. Instead, reach out to DUIHeroes and talk to a Lynnwood high BAC DUI attorney right away.  

Our team understands the seriousness of your charges. More importantly, we know how to defend you. With more than 50 years of combined experience, a 95% average success rate in getting first-time charges reduced or dismissed*, and a team that includes some of the nation’s leading DUI defense attorneys, including two former prosecutors, DUIHeroes is the firm you can trust with your defense.

Talk to a high BAC DUI lawyer in Lynnwood today. Call (425) 296-9358 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Defining “High BAC” for DUIs in Washington State

State law RCW 46.61.502 makes it illegal for anyone in Washington to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. It is also illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a THC concentration of 5.00 ng/mL or higher. The penalties for a DUI depend on the specifics of each situation—things like prior DUI convictions, being involved in an accident, or having a “high” blood alcohol concentration can all result in harsher penalties.

While the state does not have a separate law for “high BAC” DUIs, the penalties for a first-time DUI can increase if: 

• Your BAC was 0.15% or higher 
• You refused a breathalyzer or blood test

In the instance of a BAC of 0.15% or higher, you could face mandatory minimum penalties, including two days in jail or 30 days of electronic home monitoring, a fine ranging from $500 to $5,000, ignition interlock device installation, and a one-year driver’s license revocation through the Department of Licensing (DOL). And these penalties are just a starting point. A prior DUI, multiple priors, a minor in the vehicle, and other factors can all lead to even harsher penalties. 

How Accurate Are BAC Tests? 

Most people assume that a breath or blood test is the final word in a DUI case, but the truth is more complicated. BAC testing can be useful, but it’s far from perfect. The accuracy of these tests depends on strict procedures that officers and labs don’t always follow.

Breath tests, for example, rely on machines that must be properly maintained, regularly calibrated, and operated by someone who is trained in their use and follows every required step. If the officer skips the mandatory observation period, if the machine is overdue for certification, or if dental work, acid reflux, or mouth alcohol interfere with the sample, the result can be inaccurate. Even temperature, breathing patterns, and the way the test was administered can change the reading.

Blood tests sound more reliable, but they come with their own problems. A blood sample is only as trustworthy as the equipment, the lab, and the people handling it. Contamination, improper storage, and simple human error can all affect the result. In some cases, labs fail to document who handled the sample or how it was tested. These gaps can throw the results into question. Even when everything is done “by the book,” blood tests don’t show how someone was actually functioning at the time they were driving; they just show a chemical measurement taken long after the stop.

Challenging Evidence in a High BAC DUI Case

High BAC cases often move quickly because prosecutors believe the number speaks for itself. But BAC results are not immune to challenge. 

When our Lynnwood high BAC DUI lawyers review these tests, we look closely at every step, such as: 

• How the stop occurred
• How the test was administered
• How the machines were maintained
• Whether the state can prove the sample was handled correctly from start to finish

Problems in any part of that process can create reasonable doubt or lead to evidence being thrown out entirely.

A high BAC test result may feel overwhelming, but it isn’t the end of the story. With the right defense, BAC tests can be questioned, re-examined, and sometimes shown to be far less reliable than they appeared at first glance.

Contact Our High BAC DUI Attorneys in Lynnwood

When you’re facing a DUI with a high blood alcohol concentration, you need strong legal representation right away. These cases move quickly, but it is possible to question evidence and challenge the charges leveled against you. 

At DUIHeroes, we are prepared to aggressively defend you, your rights, and your future. DUI defense is all we do; we are ready to dedicate all of our resources and efforts to building a strategic defense on your behalf. 

Our team brings the same level of training as the officers who make these arrests. Each attorney at our firm has completed the NHTSA course on DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, the exact program Washington law enforcement relies on in the field. Founding attorney Jonathan Dichter has taken that foundation to another level, earning recognition as an instructor and frequent presenter on advanced DUI defense techniques. That depth of knowledge keeps our team at the forefront of developments in DUI science and litigation.

The impact of our commitment to DUI defense shows in our track record. Since 2009, we’ve secured reduced charges or outright dismissals in an average of 95% of first-time DUI cases*. But numbers aren’t the only thing that matter. We make it a point to treat every client as a priority. When you reach out, you get direct access to your attorney—no runaround, no unnecessary delays, and no wondering what’s happening with your case. You’ll receive clear communication, real-time updates, and a defense strategy built around the details of your situation. 

If you need the help of an experienced high BAC DUI lawyer in Lynnwood, reach out to our firm today. We can explain your options and help you take the next steps.

Call us at (425) 296-9358 to set up a free and confidential consultation.